Krakow Things to Do Tips by Raimix

Czartoryski museum Czartoryski Museum Review

This building was one I found with Lithuanian coat of arms on its windows. As I remember, Czartoryski was somehow associated with Lithuania.

I was happy to take free entrance into this art museum (free entrance - on Thursdays). Actually it is the best art museum I even seen - with greek and roman time sculptures, Mesopotamian art, fragments from Egyptian "Book of Deads" and Da Vinci painting "Lady with an Ermine".

Address: Sw. Jana street

Directions: Near old town walls (Florianska street).

Jagiello university - new building Jagiellonian University Review

Collegium Novum (thats how called New building of university) built in 1887, located in the Planty Gardens.

Red building houses some faculties for students, while old building, that is inside old town (Collegium Maius) is used more for administration and making sightseeings. It is quite famous university in Poland and makes a lot of international relationships - students exchange and so on.

Address: 24 Golebia street

Directions: In Planty gardens.

Copernicus monument Planty Gardens Review

Copernicus was a very significant personality of Poland and a student of Jagellonian University. Thats not miracle, that his sculpture is standing next to new Jagellonian University building, at Krakow's old town park.

Address:

Directions: Parks (planty), near new Jagellonian University building.

St. Andrew's Church

This church, talking about exterior, remained untouched mostly from 12th-13th century. It is actually oldest church in Krakow with most authentic things and the one with romanescue style. Interior of church is barocco.

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Directions:

Church of the Holy Trinity

Church beggins to be dated from the year 1222. Later construction of gothic church began after 1241 and a bit changed some years later again. The monastery near church had a lot of tombs and by number of it was second after Wawel Cathedral. Fire of 1850 very damaged church, both inside and outside. Now everything is replaced by neo-gothic decorations.

Anyway, it is great church to see, especially these wooden carvings inside and gothic arches.

Address: Dominikańska street

Directions:

Wawel castle Wawel Castle Review

It is the residence of Polish kings from 10th to 14th century and both residence of common Poland's-Lithuania's kingdom from 14th century to 17th century.

The first setlement here, named Wislan, dates back even to the 8th century, later castle and cathedral was built here. Castle most changed at years 1517-1533, when king Sigmundus the Old was reigning the country. The renaissance style was added to the courtyard.

Castle is a famous spot, and houses these musuems: Royal Private appartments, State Rooms, Crown Treasury and Armoury, Dragon's Pit, Oriental Art and Lost Wawel. I have been to 3 of these museums and I loved them - I was at Lost Wawel, Crown Treasury and Oriental Arts.

Address:

Directions: Wawel Hill

Sts Peter's and Paul's Church

This barocco church was constructed in 1596-1619. It's fasade is almost copy of II Gesu church in Rome. Actually the big impression is made by scultures of 12 apostles on the entrance to the church.

The cript of this church contains the remains of Piotr Skarga, a famous Polish friest (his sculture is near the church as well). It is trully beautiful building!

Address: Grodzka street

Directions:

Franciscan Church

Franciscan church was built in 12 century. Later, after quite unlucky historical period, church was burnt by the Swedes in 1655. What is more, it was destroyed again in 1850 after another fire. Now this church is gothic style mixed both with neogothic. Inside church is placed small gallery of the bishops of Krakow from the 15th century to the present time.

Address:

Directions: In old town, near gardens.

The Piarist Church of the Transfiguration

The church was built from 1718 to 1728 by Kasper Bazanka. The exterior is somekind like a II Gesu church in Rome. The interior (as well as exterior) is very amazing, worth visiting. This church is not far away from old town gates - St Florians and Chartorisky museum.

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Town Hall building The Town Hall - Ratusz Review

Town Hall was built in end of 13th century, but later heightened in 1685. Actually it is even not all town hall, but only town hall tower. Another interesting thing, that his tower is leaning about 50 cm after very big wind in 1703. It houses City of Krakow Historical museum and theater as well.

Nearby the building it is interesting sculture placed - big man's head, lying on pavement. That head is so big, it is possible to go inside of it and make nice photos.

Address:

Directions: Town Hall square.